London Marathon newcomer Andrew Pike lost his partner Sue to cancer at the end of 2016 - but says she will be with him every step of the way.

The 53-year-old from Haydon only started running in 2014, losing six-and-a-half stone in the process. But Sue, his partner of 12 years, was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer in December.

She had three rounds of chemotherapy in 2015 and a major operation – but always urged Andrew, who works for Honda, to keep up his training.

“Sue insisted that I carry on with the running. To enable me to see her in hospital in the evenings, that meant getting up at 4.30am to run before work,” he said.

“During the year, the distances increased, and I took part in the Swindon Half Marathon that year, raising money for MacMillan Cancer Support.”

Sue’s operation and treatment seemed to go well, but a follow-up revealed more tumours had appeared. She had further chemotherapy but finally, on November 17 2016, moved to the Prospect Hospice and the treatment was stopped.

The devoted couple thought Sue had a few weeks left to live, and they planned to marry.

Tragically, the wedding never happened – Sue died three days later, on November 20.

Andrew was with her at the end.

Andrew has since run several races, and event organisers have allowed him to run with the race number, 1605 – which was Sue’s date of birth.

“As my running progressed, Sue wanted to see me run in the ultimate race and encouraged me to enter the London Marathon,” he said.

Andrew is raising money for Cares4Kids, through the Zurich Community Trust and has a target of at least £1,400.

“This will be the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but nothing to the battle that cancer sufferers have, every day, both from the physical and mental aspects – so whatever it takes, I will finish, and I know that Sue will be with me, pushing me every step of the way.”

To sponsor Andrew, visit his donations page at mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/andrewpike1.